Netanyahu wants your help to find the Likud's next MK
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launches video calling on Israeli public to send nominations for two remaining reserved spots on Likud list.
The move came after the Likud primaries ended with confusion and inner-party feuds – voting irregularity had caused the Likud to conduct a recount which switched around the initial list announced, leaving Likud members who sought a high-up position on the list in the deep end.
After praising the list of elected individuals and saying he was proud of the diverse group elected – while only 2 women received viable spots for the next Knesset – Netanyahu invited citizens to send an e-mail to the account newfaceslikud@gmail.com and offer their suggestions for the two remaining spots reserved to be chosen by Netanyahu.
“Citizens of Israel and dear friends, I’m proud of the Likud party members. They chose an excellent list for the Knesset. A serious and responsible list that represents all parts of the nation… They sweepingly supported my suggestion to add two additional candidates in realistic positions on the Likud Knesset list.
"I would be happy to receive from you, the citizens of Israel, recommendations and ideas for the candidates to be chosen,” read the message posted on Netanyahu’s Facebook page.
The video is another sign of how Israeli politicians have increasingly turned to social media as a tool to reach out to the public and appeal to a younger audience.
In December, Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett tried to reach out to voters by asking them to send in slogan ideas that rhyme with “Bennett is a brother” - the slogan Bennett became known for in the 2012 elections.
However, the attempt to reach out to voters using social networks backfired and instead of support Bennett was mocked with people sending in ideas such as, “A ridiculous campaign? Bennett is a brother!” and “Want to throw the country into the trash? Bennett is a brother!”
Bennett did not get discouraged by his failed attempt to reach out through social media channels, and last month he released a viral video in which he dressed up as a Tel Aviv hipster and mocked the left-leaning young generation for apologizing too much on behalf of Israel.
While more candidates seem to join the social media bandwagon, it is unclear whether the Israeli voting public will cooperate.
